Difference Makers: Wood River Telecommunications Team Praised For Emergency Response Excellence
Led by Joe Petrokovich, the ten-member Wood River Dispatch team received high commendations from Police Chief Brad Wells for their critical incident management.
WOOD RIVER — On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, the Wood River Police Department’s Telecommunications Center faced a challenging day managing multiple critical incidents simultaneously, including a serious morning crash on Illinois 143 and a major house fire in Roxana.
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The dispatch center, which serves the communities of Bethalto, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford, Wood River, and East Alton, is staffed by 10 individuals and led by Joe Petrokovich. Police Chief Brad Wells praised the telecommunications team for their performance during the incidents.
The Wood River Dispatch Center team members are Difference Makers in their region.
“I can’t commend them enough,” Wells said. “Our telecommunication center is top-notch. They know how to multitask and are very good at what they do. They are a credit to this department, and I am very proud of the job they do.”
Wells highlighted the often-overlooked role dispatchers play in emergency response.
“A lot of times, they get lost in the story of the heroes every day. They perform some type of heroic job that goes unnoticed, not only by police but fire services as well,” he said. “While other towns may be unaware, these teams are making sure police and fire departments get dispatched, ambulances respond, and calls for helicopters are made. Police and fire personnel should be commended for the job they do every day.”
If you have a Difference Makers idea, e-mail news@riverbender.com or text 618-623-5930. Please include information and a photo. During the holiday season, there should be plenty of Difference Makers to profile in the region.
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